Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka
Abstract Background The carnivorous genus Utricularia also includes aquatic species that have the potential to trap a wide range of prey, leading its death due to anoxia. However, the effectiveness of such an approach with carnivorous plants for vector control has not been evaluated in Sri Lanka. Me...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-10-01
|
| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04454-x |
| _version_ | 1797577141607464960 |
|---|---|
| author | Nayana Gunathilaka Ravina Perera Deepika Amerasinghe Lahiru Udayanga |
| author_facet | Nayana Gunathilaka Ravina Perera Deepika Amerasinghe Lahiru Udayanga |
| author_sort | Nayana Gunathilaka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The carnivorous genus Utricularia also includes aquatic species that have the potential to trap a wide range of prey, leading its death due to anoxia. However, the effectiveness of such an approach with carnivorous plants for vector control has not been evaluated in Sri Lanka. Methods Early instar (i & ii) and late instar (iii & iv) larvae of Aedes aegypti were exposed to locally found bladderwort (U. aurea Lour and Utricularia sp.). The experimental design was set with 10 larvae (both early and late instars separately) in 250 mL of water with bladderworts containing approximately 100 bladders in plant segments of both species, separately. Each treatment and control were repeated 50 times. The survival status of larvae was recorded daily until death or adult emergence. The larvae found whole or partially inside the bladders were attributed to direct predation. The Cox-regression model and Mantel-Cox log rank test were carried out to assess the survival probabilities of larvae in the presence of two bladderworts separately. Results The highest predation was observed when using early instar larvae in both U. aurea (97.8%) and Utricularia sp. (83.8%). The mortality caused due to predation by U. aurea was observed to be significantly higher according to the Mantel-Cox log-rank test (HR = 60.71, CI; 5.69–999.25, P = 0.004). The mortality rates of late instar stages of Ae. aegypti were observed to be lower in both U. aurea (82.6%) and Utricularia sp. (74.8%). Overall, the highest predation efficacy was detected from U. aurea (HR = 45.02; CI: 5.96–850.51, P = 0.017) even in late instar stages. The results suggested the cumulative predation in both plants on Ae. aegypti larvae was > 72%. Conclusions Utricularia aurea is a competent predator of Ae. aegypti larvae. Further, it is recommended to evaluate the feasibility of this plant to be used in the field as a control intervention in integrated vector management programmes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:03:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eb987a8955054cf2ace040d6f125d041 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:03:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb987a8955054cf2ace040d6f125d0412023-11-19T12:52:29ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292023-10-012311810.1186/s12870-023-04454-xLaboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri LankaNayana Gunathilaka0Ravina Perera1Deepika Amerasinghe2Lahiru Udayanga3Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of KelaniyaDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of KelaniyaDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of KelaniyaDepartment of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri LankaAbstract Background The carnivorous genus Utricularia also includes aquatic species that have the potential to trap a wide range of prey, leading its death due to anoxia. However, the effectiveness of such an approach with carnivorous plants for vector control has not been evaluated in Sri Lanka. Methods Early instar (i & ii) and late instar (iii & iv) larvae of Aedes aegypti were exposed to locally found bladderwort (U. aurea Lour and Utricularia sp.). The experimental design was set with 10 larvae (both early and late instars separately) in 250 mL of water with bladderworts containing approximately 100 bladders in plant segments of both species, separately. Each treatment and control were repeated 50 times. The survival status of larvae was recorded daily until death or adult emergence. The larvae found whole or partially inside the bladders were attributed to direct predation. The Cox-regression model and Mantel-Cox log rank test were carried out to assess the survival probabilities of larvae in the presence of two bladderworts separately. Results The highest predation was observed when using early instar larvae in both U. aurea (97.8%) and Utricularia sp. (83.8%). The mortality caused due to predation by U. aurea was observed to be significantly higher according to the Mantel-Cox log-rank test (HR = 60.71, CI; 5.69–999.25, P = 0.004). The mortality rates of late instar stages of Ae. aegypti were observed to be lower in both U. aurea (82.6%) and Utricularia sp. (74.8%). Overall, the highest predation efficacy was detected from U. aurea (HR = 45.02; CI: 5.96–850.51, P = 0.017) even in late instar stages. The results suggested the cumulative predation in both plants on Ae. aegypti larvae was > 72%. Conclusions Utricularia aurea is a competent predator of Ae. aegypti larvae. Further, it is recommended to evaluate the feasibility of this plant to be used in the field as a control intervention in integrated vector management programmes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04454-xAquatic carnivorous plantUtriculariaPredationMosquito larvaeControl |
| spellingShingle | Nayana Gunathilaka Ravina Perera Deepika Amerasinghe Lahiru Udayanga Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka BMC Plant Biology Aquatic carnivorous plant Utricularia Predation Mosquito larvae Control |
| title | Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka |
| title_full | Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka |
| title_fullStr | Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka |
| title_short | Laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector, Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka |
| title_sort | laboratory scale evaluation of the feasibility of locally found bladderworts as biological agents to control dengue vector aedes aegypti in sri lanka |
| topic | Aquatic carnivorous plant Utricularia Predation Mosquito larvae Control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04454-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nayanagunathilaka laboratoryscaleevaluationofthefeasibilityoflocallyfoundbladderwortsasbiologicalagentstocontroldenguevectoraedesaegyptiinsrilanka AT ravinaperera laboratoryscaleevaluationofthefeasibilityoflocallyfoundbladderwortsasbiologicalagentstocontroldenguevectoraedesaegyptiinsrilanka AT deepikaamerasinghe laboratoryscaleevaluationofthefeasibilityoflocallyfoundbladderwortsasbiologicalagentstocontroldenguevectoraedesaegyptiinsrilanka AT lahiruudayanga laboratoryscaleevaluationofthefeasibilityoflocallyfoundbladderwortsasbiologicalagentstocontroldenguevectoraedesaegyptiinsrilanka |